Chapter 4: Red Eyes
In the end, Anna and a few other cars stopped at a filling station.
The situation had settled a little, so everyone was somewhat more relaxed.
However, it was a stretch to say they were fully relaxed because no one had actually fully recovered from what they had just seen and experienced.
At most, the atmosphere felt less tense.
As for why Anna had stopped her car at the filling station alongside a few other cars, she planned to refill the car's fuel tank as it was already approaching the red zone.
This went to show just how long she had been travelling with the car.
Perhaps the other cars also stopped at the filling station for the same reason.
At this point, Anna didn't even know exactly where she was.
During the journey here, Anna took routes that avoided zombies, collapsed cars, and buildings.
Speaking of buildings, Anna couldn't fathom how they had collapsed in the first place.
What Anna did know, however, was that chaos reigned on Earth right now.
Anna wasn't sure if the current situation in the city she was in was mirrored across the world since the internet seemed to have been cut off after the cracks appeared. However, seeing that the whole sky was covered with nothing but cracks at that time, Anna figured that the chaos likely extended far beyond her current location.
Anna couldn't shake the nagging concern about the world's current situation, but her primary worry remained her family.
Even after over an hour of driving, Malachi and David were still unconscious.
The silver lining, however, was that the oppressive heat they had been experiencing seemed to have dissipated. They weren't sweating anymore, and their body temperatures had returned to normal.
Anna held onto the hope that her husband and son would awaken soon and that they would be themselves, not transformed into mindless, bloodthirsty creatures. These thoughts were difficult to banish, especially considering the terrifying events on the highway that had left a heavy imprint on her mind.
"Someone has gotten out of their car, Mom," Mia's voice suddenly reached Anna's ears, prompting her to quickly glance out the windows.
Mia had regained her composure a few minutes ago, but Anna could tell that her daughter was still very frightened, especially given the slight tremor in her hands as she clasped them together.
Mia might have stopped crying, but it was evident that the fear of the day hadn't dissipated entirely.
Anna was in a similar situation, but she drew on her inner strength, knowing that, as a mother, she needed to be the pillar of support for her daughter, even though Mia was already 18 years old.
Anna longed to do something to dispel the fear in her daughter's heart, but she grappled with her own fears.
Could she, who was battling her own anxiety, truly be capable of comforting her daughter and alleviating her fear?
Anna longed to do more for her family, but she recognized that her primary responsibility was their safety, and that was already a monumental task. Her family's well-being rested heavily on her shoulders.
The car had become the lifeline that could transport her loved ones to safety or away from dangers, much like what they had experienced on the highway.
This was why Anna had yet to exit the vehicle.
While the current environment appeared relatively safe, devoid of zombies or immediate threats, Anna remained cautious and vigilant.
Anna wouldn't leave the car until she was certain it was safe to do so.
The engines were still running, ready to move at a moment's notice.
Someone, it seemed, lacked the patience she exhibited and had taken the risk of venturing out.
Following Mia's indication, Anna finally saw who had exited their vehicle.
It wasn't a single person but a man and a woman who appeared to be a couple.
Anna couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity mixed with caution as she observed their actions.
The couple emerged from an old model Honda Jeep, a surprisingly well-maintained vehicle considering the year, which was now 2052.
The man who had been in the driver's seat had a broad, sturdy physique and clutched a baseball bat in his hands.
Anna pondered how a baseball bat ended up in a car's driver's seat.
Anna suspected the man had placed it there for self-defence during the time chaos descended.
The other occupant of the car, an unarmed individual, circled around the vehicle to position herself behind the man as they both made their way to the fuel dispenser.
After observing the couple for a few more seconds and seeing that nothing untoward happened to them, others in the vicinity began to follow suit.
There were a total of five cars at the filling station, including Malachi's car.
However, it was evident that not everyone present had the same purpose, as some individuals made their way to the convenience store within the filling station.
Anna leaned over to her daughter and spoke with urgency.
"No matter what happens, don't get out of the car, Mia."
Mia nodded in response, and Anna swiftly made her way to the fuel dispenser to fill the car's tank, her senses on high alert for any potential danger.
After inserting some coins into the fuel dispenser, Anna grasped the fuel hose and began filling the car's tank while maintaining close attention to her surroundings to avoid any surprises.
The location where Anna currently found herself was relatively deserted, being in a rural area.
Aside from the cemented road, the filling station, and the convenience store, the surroundings stretched out into a forest with small mountain ranges in the distance.
As several minutes passed without any dangerous incidents, Anna's guard gradually began to relax.
Anna was on the verge of lowering her vigilance when a scream, akin to that of a pig, shattered the calm of the filling station.
The shriek emanated from the woman accompanying the man with the baseball bat.
The woman appeared terrified and was staring fearfully at something behind Anna.
Just as Anna was about to release the fuel hose and turn to investigate, she was struck by the sound of a growl from behind.
Anna's heart pounded violently in her chest, as though it might explode at any moment.
Anna's heart pounded in her chest as she turned her head, her movements deliberate and cautious.
Anna's eyes widened as the scene unfolded before her.
Emerging from the depths of the ominous forest was a colossal dog, standing at a staggering height of approximately three metres.
A chill ran down Anna's spine as she focused on the gruesome sight that the dog presented.
In its jaws, it clutched a human hand, its fingers stained with the unmistakable hue of fresh blood.
What struck Anna, beyond the dog's immense size, its gruesome appearance, and the gruesome content it held, were its eyes.
They were a shade of blood-red, much like the eyes of the zombies that had become all too familiar.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone